A.P. Moller – Maersk’s (Maersk) first major methanol-powered deep-sea vessel, the ‘Ane Maersk,’ has arrived at the MSC PSA European Terminal in Antwerp.
The call at the Antwerp port is part of ‘Ane Maersk’s’ maiden voyage from South Korea to China, fuelled by green methanol.
The container vessel, built by Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea, has a notional capacity of 16,000 TEU and is fitted with a dual-fuel engine that can operate on methanol, biodiesel, and conventional bunker fuel.
Ane Maersk is the first of Maersk’s 18 big methanol-enabled vessels, scheduled to be delivered between 2024 and 2025, and the world’s second methanol-enabled container carrier.
The bunkering occurred at the MPET terminal and was completed safely during terminal operations. TankMatch deployed two barges to transport 4.300 tonnes of green methanol to the Ane Maersk. VT Group’s barge then delivered 1.375 tonnes of biodiesel (B100).
The bunkering process was seamlessly integrated into the vessel’s port stay, combining bunkering simultaneously with on- and off-loading of cargo.
READ: Maersk christens its first large methanol-enabled boxship
Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO Port of Antwerp-Bruges, commented: “As the fifth largest bunkering port in the world, we are committed to playing a pioneering role in the integration of climate neutral fuels to the bunker market.
“Port of Antwerp-Bruges will provide facilities where possible, make both platforms multifuel ready and is itself committed to making its fleet greener by using alternative fuels.”
READ: Maersk christens second methanol-enabled vessel
Emma Mazhari, Head of Energy Markets of A.P. Moller – Maersk, said: “We are excited to partner with Port of Antwerp-Bruges on the maiden voyage of Ane Maersk. This is an important step in our efforts to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.
“We value all our partners which contributes to the decarbonisation of shipping and logistics, and we are pleased to see both the green fuel and bunkering infrastructure making promising development.”
